After last week’s morale boosting win, and performance, at league leaders Stockingford A.A. the Police really needed to put out a side with little, or no changes. Unfortunately for manager Rob Sutton this was not the case. Seven players from last week’s starting line up were unavailable. Jake Harvey was away – but most importantly the spine of the team with Simon Williams, John Quinney and
Tom Smith were all unavailable for one reason or another. Things got worse for Sutton when Halfpenny cried off before meeting for the coach and Ewan Davidson injured himself in the warm up! To be fair the return of top scorer Dan Jarratt was a welcome break and the dependable Mark McDonagh was available for selection and Tom Wakeley made his first start and he offered good width and running on the right wing.

Both sides started brightly and it was a keenly contested match particularly in the midfield areas where Bates and O’Sullivan continued where they left off from last week with some crisp passing at times. Jarratt showed some good close control early on but unfortunately his shot didn’t match the approach play. A couple of long range free-kicks were won in the box by the returning Hill although nothing came of his knock downs. However the Badgers took the lead on 25 minutes when after good passing between Bunn, Bates and O’Sullivan the Police contrived to lose possession. Brocton broke down the right and Bunn being left isolated played onside their forwards. Richard Jones finished from a tight angle – but he had two options in the box. Griffiths returning in goal for the first time since the Mile Oak debacle had to be on hand to turn another Brocton chance narrowly wide – and the home side was clearly in the ascendancy at this stage. Then, on 35 minutes, the turning point of the game. A poor corner was swung into the Police’s near post. Griffiths came and made contact with the ball but under pressure from a collection of bodies he dropped it. The ball ricocheted around and eventually hit Darren Gardener on both hands. The Badger’s forward made a pushing motion towards the ball and it ended up in the back of the net. Despite the fact the referee was ten yards away and the linesman had a clear view the goal stood despite ongoing protests from the Police defenders.

This goal really knocked the stuffing out of the Police and Brocton were unlucky not to add to their tally before half time.

The second half was a different matter largely due to a combination of Brocton taking their foot off the gas and an improved showing from the Police team – finally realising that the Premier players cannot knock the ball around that easily if they are closed down quickly. Jarratt came closest to pulling a goal back when he nearly scored a carbon-copy of his early season effort vs Ettington. DJ dribbled clear of the centre halves on the left hand side of the box and hit a wonderful, curling, effort that somehow did not dip under the bar with the ‘keeper beaten. Berry was working hard upfront without receiving any luck and Jarratt wasted the best chance for the Police on 70 minutes when he shot wide when put through on goal after a good through ball had beaten the Brocton off side trap.

Sutton came on for Griffiths to make his first appearance of the season and he came close with a header from another Police corner – flooring Berry in the process of winning the ball. To be fair Brocton could have added an underserved third goal when they caught the Police on the break a few times in the last five minutes. The closest being when they struck the post.

So a disappointing result for the Police against a Brocton side who deserved their victory and progression into the next round of the cup. Yet again a changed side stops any cohesion and unity being found but unlike Rafael Benitez in the Premiership the management duo of Harvey and Sutton have no option but to keep changing the team line up week in, week out. Hopefully we will have a strong sixteen to choose from for the upcoming two home matches against Stockingford and Thimblemill respectively.

Man of the match:- D.Jarratt looked lively and a constant threat to the Brocton defence with his close control and dribbling skill. One great effort that was unlucky not to find the top corner.

Team line up:-

M.Griffiths, I.Griffiths, K.Bunn, P.Lee, N.Hill, D.O’Sullivan, M.McDonagh,D.Bates (Capt), I.Berry, D.Jarratt, T.Wakeley

Subs :- Jenkins for Wakeley (65 mins), Sutton for I.Griffiths (75 mins), Davidson unused.

Man of the match:- D.Jarratt looked lively and a constant threat to the Brocton defence with his close control and dribbling skill. One great effort that was unlucky not to find the top corner.